Cricket: Tempers flare in last-gasp decider

A fine hundred from Rotorua's Jason Trembath couldn't get his side home against Western Bay of Plenty in the Attrill Cup decider at Fergusson Park. Photo / George Novak

Bad blood threatened to boil over at times before Western Bay snuck home over Rotorua in a thrilling Attrill Cup decider at Fergusson Park on Sunday.

Rotorua batted first, with skipper Jason Trembath doing plenty of damage in typically brutal fashion on his way to a fine 111 to pace his side to a competitive total of 233/4.

Former Counties Manukau representative Vaughan Blanchard proved a thorn in the Western Bay's side by adding 80, especially since the Mount and Te Puke players were adamant they had dismissed him via a sizeable edge.

Josh Dwight backed up his five-wicket bag from the previous day to take 3/39 in an innings that set up a fitting conclusion to the quadrangular tournament.

The Rotorua bowlers held the early momentum in the response, including a miraculous catch from Alistair Blackett, to have Western Bay in trouble. At one stage the run rate ballooned out to nine runs an over before Ben Musgrave (62) and Blair Parlane (55) fought back.

A ninth-wicket partnership between Matt Golding (31no) and Josh Dwight tied the score with one ball remaining in the match. In spite of a voracious appeal by the Rotorua side for lbw, the umpire called a leg bye, allowing Western Bay to grab a one-run victory.

Tauranga rebounded from their loss to Western Bay on Saturday to grab the winning points over Eastern Bay in the other match-up at Fergusson Park.

Both teams largely struggled with the bat, with a fine partnership between Tommy Clout (41no) and Kent Hodder (41) proving the difference in the two-wicket win.